PLACENTIA

Gilbert Gonzalez knows what hunger, helplessness and homelessness feel like. For a number of years, the Anaheim man lived on the streets, wandering from corners to shelters and finally to jail. It was there Gonzalez found the help to turn his life around.

That was seven years ago. Now, as the newly appointed executive director of Placentia’s Homeless Intervention Shelter (HIS House) on Bradford Avenue, Gonzalez said he will work to change the lives of shelter clients. He plans to bring job training programs and counseling services on site, strengthen assessment of clients’ progress and continue such life-skills classes as nutrition and budgeting.

Gonzalez replaces Patricia Long, who stepped down as director last week to devote more time to her family and to help her husband with his business. Information about the shelter: (714) 993-5774.